LAKELAND - Efforts to find homes for about 15 dogs left behind on a rural property in the Bellis area after their owner passed away this fall, hit another challenge recently when three puppies picked up for adoption were found to have parvovirus and had to be euthanized.
The virus was detected after a woman who had intended to look after four remaining puppies from one litter until they could be adopted, learned the devastating news.
“I went out there with the intent of fostering those puppies. When I arrived, one was dead, the other one was gravely ill and the other two were symptomatic . . . it was found that they were not going to be able to be saved," said the woman, who asked to not be identified.
While the news was disappointing, the man who has been leading the charge to keep the dogs fed for more than a month now, remained optimistic. Toby Neuendorf said he would continue to do what he can for the dogs buoyed along by the generosity of those who have responded to his call for help.
He said two puppies from the same litter had been adopted earlier and contact from their new owners indicated they were not infected.
“I have heard before that parvo is serious for puppies, but I need to do some more research on how serious this actually is . . . It adds an extra layer, definitely.”
St. Paul veterinarian Dr. Jasmin Teske said parvovirus effects the gastrointestinal tract and, because it is a virus, it is difficult to treat. Immediate signs are vomiting and diarrhea. Infected dogs are also very lethargic and don’t tend to want to eat or drink.
“Pretty much, we are just doing supportive care, keeping the dog hydrated because they’re losing water with vomiting and diarrhea. Usually, the reason that these dogs die is either because bacteria gets through the intestines and cause sepsis, or they die because they are so dehydrated that their organs start shutting down.”
Teske said the there is no cure.
“Because it is a virus, antibiotics aren’t going to clear it up. It’s pretty much supporting the animal until they can clear the infection themselves.”
Unvaccinated puppies are the most susceptible to the disease because they have never been exposed to it, while adult dogs and larger breeds have better odds of fighting it off.
“The one thing with dogs that have been exposed to parvo, usually they are only shedding the virus for about two weeks after their clinical signs resolve. There is not much evidence that they are life-long carriers or anything like that.”
Asked what her advice is to people who already own a dog and are considering adopting one of these dogs, Teske recommended they talk to their vet and check on the immunization records of their own dogs.
“If there are no clinical signs by now it’s a low likelihood that they have it,” Teske said of the remaining adult dogs on the property. “But I would let the new people know, because the last thing you want is a dog going to somebody’s farm who has an unvaccinated puppy or something like that and then that puppy gets parvo.”
She recommended keeping them isolated from other dogs for about three to five days to make sure the adopted dog is not showing any clinical signs of the virus.
“The best way to prevent your animals from becoming infected is by making sure they are up to date on their vaccines.”
All dog owners should be aware that parvovirus is not uncommon in the area due to the number of stray dogs and unvaccinated dogs. Once present, the virus can live in the environment for a long time.
“It will hang around for quite a long time that’s why there’s no real way of preventing puppies from being exposed to it. The most concentrated exposure you’re going to get is in dog parks because there is such a high amount of dogs going through there.”
Teske said the only sure way to protect your dog from contracting parvovirus is through vaccination. While still not a 100 per cent effective, vaccination will reduce the chance of a dog contracting the virus and will also reduce the severity of the disease.
“Parvo is not a cheap disease to treat. Vaccines are a lot cheaper than getting your dog treated for parvo.”
